The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-01
DUPED By A PRETENTIOUS IMPOSTOR.
John Reginald Talbot, Notorious Fraud Once
Exposed Here, Turns Up in Newark.

The man who figured somewhat conspic-
uously In Indianapolis society about two years
ago, John Reginald Talbot. ian English gen.
tleman of noble family" has turned up again in
his role as an impostor Although notorious
two continents q swnder anc thief. he has.
under his various aliases duped people of high
standing. socially, 10 Pittsburr, Buffalo, and
other cities siEce his exposure here by Rev. DR..
Mcleod. He is known to the police and detect
ives of the country Hugh L. Courtney, alias
Lord Courtney. alias Sir Hugh Courtney. alias
Sir Harry Vane Tempest alias Lieutenant Den
nison, r. N, with innumsrable other aliases.
The name that he assumed in Newark
was the Same that he gave here
John Reginald Talbot. The story of how he
duped the people of that citv and was finally ex-
posed, is told by the New York Tribune fol-
lows: "His representations had been accepted
unquesrioned. and his references to his noble
relatives in England were implicitly believed.
Houses that were hermerically sealed to all but
the select few had him for honored guest,
and he received invitations to nearly ali the
hgh-class entertainments, bis family connections
fully atoning for his evident lack of means.
wealthy citizen. William Speidem, sccommo-
dated Talbot With room in his house on Center
street, and fully believed be was what be repre-
scented hi meelf to be. So well liked was he that
il was no unusual thing for . dinner party to be
given in bis honor. and he was always a favored
object in the drawing-room. Gradually how.
a
be represented began to form. and it took def
mite ehape when q lady who crossed the ocean
in 1875 recognized in Talbot a strong resem-
blance to Lord Courtenav. who crossed in the
same steamer with her and aftprward figured
in the police courts as swindler. She
communicated her discovery to some
friends but no steps were then taken TO identify
the man. Talbot had applied for membership
at the Essex Club, which is composed OF the
leading men of Newark, and the application was
rejected because of the strenuous objections OF
a member who said bluntly that Talbot was an
adyenturer and impostor. Finally last w@ek
young man of Newark came to New York and
informed Inspector Byrnes of the matter. The
inspector produced photograph from the
rogues' gallery. and it was at once recognized
De that of Talbot. The description on the
back of the photograph correspondent with that
of Talbot Tue picture was that OF Lord Courte-
nay, with numerous aliases. Inspector Byrnes
had heard from of his staff that Courtenay
was living at Newark. On Saturday he
confronted by his host with a statement In a
local SUNDAY paper charging him with beng
swindler. and an explanation was demanded.
Talbot protested that he cruelty ira
duced. that there truth IN the
charges. and asserted that he would pun
ish his viltifiers. He urged Mr.. Speidem
to accompany him to New York. where he
would confront Inspector Bvrnes and prove that
a mistake had been made. The proposition was
accepted. and the compile took the IL A. NJ. train.
On the cars Mr.. Speidem suggested that they go
to BROOKLYN and detective whom he knew
and who could clear up the difficulty. Talbot
assented. At Broadway and Cortlandt streets
Talbot suggested that SneiieEa wait in the
Astor House and let him tTalbotl go to Brook
lyn and bring over the defecfive. Speidem
declined the proposition, whereupon Talbot ex-
hibited anger. aud remarking that his honor
had been assailed and that be would have his